New Poll Show MI Residents Worry About Fracking Technique

MARQUETTE, MI – (Great Lakes Radio News) –Most Michigan residents say the controversial method of accessing natural gas known as “fracking” is good for the economy, but worry about the possible environmental impact, according to a new survey from the University of Michigan.

The poll shows that 82 percent of Michigan residents said fracking was somewhat or very important to the state economy. But it also found that a majority, or 52 percent support imposing a moratorium on fracking until there is a fuller understanding of the possible risks. And overall support for shale gas extraction was 54 percent in Michigan.

Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” is a technique that extracts oil and gas from rock by injecting high-pressure mixtures of water, sand or gravel with chemicals. The survey of 415 Michigan residents was conducted last October and November. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent.

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